Transcript of "2014 ram power wagon at 2014 ny auto show press release"

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April 9, 2014 Contact:Nick Cappa
(248) 512-4266 (office)
(248) 202-8039 (cell)
nick.cappa@chrysler.com
David Elshoff
(248) 512-2690 (office)
(248) 797-2300 (cell)
david.elshoff@chrysler.com
New 2014 Ram Power Wagon—The Most Off-road-capable Pickup—Has Evolved from
America’s First Mass Production 4x4
Simply no other pickup on the market matches Power Wagon’s on- and off-road capability
Standard 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 with best-in-class 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque features unsurpassed
powertrain warranty – five years/100,000 miles
Unique “Ram Articulink” front suspension system incorporates high movement joints and sway-bar disconnecting
system, allowing for additional flexibility and axle articulation
Ram engineering continues to lead Heavy Duty segment innovation with new 5-link coil rear suspension to deliver
best-in-class ride and superior axle control
Ram Power Wagon features standard front and rear electronic-locking differentials for true four-wheel-drive and
maximum traction
Standard Warn 12,000-lb. electric winch mounted behind the front bumper will recover competitor’s trucks stuck in
the mud
Up to 10,810 pounds of towing capacity
New exterior design: colors, lighting, wheels, grilles and tri-color graphics
Introduced in 1945, Power Wagon was first mass-production 4x4 pickup
April 9, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Ram Truck brand’s quest to build the best pickups continues. The Ram 1500
EcoDiesel delivers the industry’s best fuel economy at 28 MPG. Ram’s Heavy Duty truck line owns best-in-class
towing at 30,000 lbs. and best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) at 37,600 lbs., but there’s an
additional title Ram Truck has always held: the most off-road-capable pickup. Built to master the most rigorous off-
road trails, the 2014 Ram Power Wagon is based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab, but features a
number of off-road-specific engineering enhancements, including a unique suspension with more than two inches of
lift, locking differentials and a 12,000-pound winch to give the truck a significant advantage over all production
pickups.
“Capability is top of mind with heavy-duty pickup truck customers. Ram trucks are expected to work every day
without breaking a sweat,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO—Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The
2014 Ram Power Wagon fills a need for those who travel into extreme terrain for rescue or recreation, while
delivering on-road civility and the towing capability expected from a heavy-duty truck.”
The 2014 Ram Power Wagon engineering story begins with a new frame, suspension and top-of-segment off-road
technology and equipment complemented by the new, best-in-class 410 horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine.
“The Ram Power Wagon’s heritage dates back to 1945. It holds a special place in the line-up as an example of
engineering innovation and off-road capability,” said Mike Cairns, Director—Ram Truck Engineering. “It may look
similar to a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty but under the skin is a unique story, giving the Power Wagon its best-in-class off-
road pickup competence.”
The Power Wagon nameplate was produced from 1945 through 1980. Early trucks were based on the Weapons
Carrier (WC) series of Dodge ¾-ton military-use trucks built during World War II. The Power Wagon went on to

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become a well-known civilian vehicle and continued the lineage of Dodge four-wheel-drive trucks from the 1930s,
proving basic four-wheel-drive design concepts and representing a significant predecessor to the many four-wheel-
drive trucks in modern use today. The iconic truck was reintroduced in 2005 and now exists as an independent model
under Ram Truck Brand.
POWERTRAIN
Compelling numbers tell the best-in-class story of the standard 6.4-liter HEMI 16-valve V-8 engine: 410 horsepower at
5,600 rpm and a peak torque rating of 429 lb.-ft. (582 N•m) at 4,000 rpm. The engine calibration is unique to Power
Wagon in order to enhance its off-road maneuverability and finesse. When driving in four-wheel-drive "Low," the
throttle response softens and the idle speed increases by 100 rpm (from 650 to 750 rpm) — providing added control
when ascending and descending off-road obstacles at slow speeds.
The legendary HEMI architecture provides the foundation of the 90-degree V-8. But its advanced technology is
decidedly forward-looking. Cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) delivers greater efficiency and elevated
refinement. These attributes are manifested in reduced pumping losses and lower emissions. Pumping losses are
further reduced by variable-valve timing (VVT). Efficiency is a hallmark of the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, starting with
Chrysler Group’s trademark Fuel Saver cylinder-deactivation technology. When conditions allow, as in highway
cruising, the system seamlessly shuts down four cylinders to conserve fuel. The engine features an active dual-
runner-length intake manifold optimized specifically for the Ram Heavy Duty lineup. The result is improved low-end
torque without sacrificing high-end power.
Efficiency is further reflected in revised positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, which is integrated in the intake
manifold. The resulting benefit is improved oil efficiency.
Heat is the enemy of durability. But the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 includes such features as:
Robust/high-volume oil cooler
Oil jets for piston cooling
Aircraft grade, stainless steel gaskets and fasteners for improved durability at high temperatures
In addition, computational fluid dynamics was employed to optimize the cooling circuit in the block, heads and water
pump.
With upgraded valve-seat material to fight wear and anchored by a cast-iron block, aluminum cylinder heads and
forged-steel crankshaft, it is little wonder the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 boasts a five-year / 100,000-mile warranty.
The new 6.4-liter HEMI is offered with the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission and connects to a part-time,
manual-engagement Borg Warner BW 44-47 transfer case.
The Power Wagon’s axles are the pinnacle of durability. Built by American Axle Manufacturing, the units measure
9.25 inches in the front and 11.5 inches in the rear (increase from 10.5 inches), delivering power via a 4.10:1 ring and
pinion ratio. Robust rear axle shafts are upgraded to 38 mm, providing rotating force directly to the 33-inch tire/wheel
combination. Both axles include electronic locking differentials driven by electro-magnetic actuators. New for 2014, all
Ram Heavy Duty trucks incorporate a segment-exclusive front axle disconnect system. When conditions warrant,
front drivetrain components are disconnected to reduce parasitic loss and improve overall efficiency. The system
provides a gain in fuel efficiency of up to 1 mile per gallon (mpg).
Additional axle data:
FRONT REAR
9.25 AAM 11.5 AAM
Front Pinion: 98.3 mm Rear Pinion: 121.3 mm
Front Ring Gear: 235 mm (9.25 inches) Rear Ring Gear: 292 mm (11.5 inches)
Front Axle Shaft Diameter: 35 mm Rear Axle Shaft Diameter: 38 mm
SUSPENSION
The 2014 Ram Power Wagon features an all-new suspension system, some of which was specifically designed for
the Power Wagon, including Bilstein shocks, control arms, spring rates and more than two inches of lift.
In the front, the entire Ram Heavy Duty line features an advanced three-link front suspension to ensure roll stiffness.
Greater roll stiffness reduces body roll or lean, and is an important characteristic in taller vehicles and especially
trucks with heavy payloads. Roll stiffness is measured by the amount the truck’s body tips side-to-side,

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independently of the wheels, during cornering.
The Ram Power Wagon packages a unique-to-model design of the standard three-link suspension system with
Bilstein monotube shocks. The Ram Articulink design incorporates high movement joints at the control-arm-to-axle
mount, allowing for additional flexibility and axle articulation.
Additional suspension flex is achieved via the class-exclusive electronic disconnecting sway bar, which allows the
front axle to move more independently of the truck’s frame. The driver-actuated "Smart Bar" disengagement is
possible in both four-wheel drive "High" or four-wheel drive "Low" at speeds below 18 miles per hour. As a safety
feature, the Smart Bar automatically re-engages at speeds above 18 miles per hour, increasing roll stiffness.
Heavy Duty trucks generally have rear suspension equipped for constant, heavy payloads. This usually leads to a
harsher ride when unloaded. Ram innovation leads again for 2014. All Ram 2500 Heavy Duty trucks, including the
Power Wagon take lessons learned from the Ram 1500 and add an all-new, segment-exclusive five-link coil rear
suspension system for best-in-class ride and handling.
The exclusive five-link coil design provides better articulation over obstacles than a leaf spring system and the robust
coil springs are more than up to the task of handling heavy payloads. Although the 2014 Ram Power Wagon is loaded
with off-road components, owners will appreciate payload up to 1,490 pounds and towing capacity up to 10,810
pounds.
The five-link coil design incorporates support at all major points of force. Leaf spring suspensions struggle to combat
axle wrap by using staggered shock absorbers (one mounted on the front of the axle tube and one mounted on the
rear of the axle tube). The superior design of the five-link coil system functionally resists unwanted axle rotation. Leaf
spring configurations also lack lateral support, forcing the leaf ends and shackles to hold against lateral loads — a
task they're not particularly good at and one reason competitive leaf-sprung rear suspensions shutter on rough
surfaces.
Because of the unique five-link axle control and natural rotation, U-joints in the driveshaft run smoothly and with less
vibration through the suspension’s range of motion, an advantage not shared with leaf springs. Another benefit of coil
springs is less unsprung mass and elimination of stick-slip friction found between the leaf springs. Additionally, links
are engineered in-line with frame rails, so overall packaging is better, not to mention an overall weight reduction of
more than 40 pounds when compared to a leaf-spring configuration.
The rear suspension also includes Bilstein monotube shocks, and on some models, a Bilstein dampener links the top
of the rear axle to the frame, providing additional control, bringing the Ram 2500 far beyond what competitors offer for
axle control.
The 2014 Ram Power Wagon's combined axle and suspension package adds to greater suspension articulation, a
determining factor when negotiating extreme obstacles. With Smart Bar engaged, the Ram Power Wagon reaches a
Ramp Travel Index (RTI - a measurement of a vehicle's suspension articulation) of 510 (26-inch vertical height).
DESIGN
The 2014 Ram Power Wagon receives a variety of exterior design treatments, each unique to the three trim levels. All
models are bookended with chrome front and rear bumpers. The bold chrome front bumper neatly hides a Warn 12,
000-lb. winch with nothing to show except a single heavy gauge steel cable and pronounced hook that attaches to
one of the two massive front tow hooks. The unique 17-inch forged and polished aluminum wheel designs are
wrapped in 33-inch tires and feature exposed lug nuts with a small center cap.
On the Power Wagon Tradesman trim, monotone paint covers the truck. The grille-surround and inserts are colored
black as are the headlamp filler panels and wheel flares. A Power Wagon decal spreads across the bottom of the
tailgate.
The SLT trim features the most visible change. The crosshair grille divides the frontal area into four quadrants. Truck
color decides whether or not the SLT-trimmed Power Wagon receives the special red billets in the four quadrants
(Bright White, Flame Red, Black, Bright Silver and Granite Crystal) providing quick identification of the Power Wagon
package. Bi-functional halogen projector headlamps, underlined with an LED array are set into a dark background.
Two-tone paint and rear-bound, Tri-color Carbide Blade graphics are matched to the Power Wagon colors. The new
graphics come in two slightly different color variations, depending on vehicle paint. In conjunction with the side
graphics, a large Power Wagon decal covers the bottom of both side doors. The LED trend is carried to the rear tail
lamps and a theme-matched Power Wagon graphic adorns the base of the tailgate. Black wheel flares and door
handles round out the SLT trim.

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The Laramie trim is more understated. The truck features an all chrome grille and bi-functional halogen headlamps
set into a chrome background. As in the SLT, LEDs serve as markers in the front and rear. The monotone painted
body and wheel flares combine with polished wheels and a unique Power Wagon chrome tailgate badge, giving the
Laramie Power Wagon a sleeper appearance considering its capability. Of course, as with all Laramie trim level Ram
trucks, the interior is top notch with leather seating surfaces, premium materials and soft touch points.
For 2014, the Ram Power Wagon offers up to 12 different colors depending on model: True Blue, Maximum Steel,
Deep Cherry Red, Blue Streak, Black Gold, Western Brown, Prairie, Flame Red, Bright White, Black (monotone),
Bright Silver and Granite Crystal.
GROUND CLEARANCE AND PROTECTION
New to Power Wagon and providing optimal balance between on-road civility and off-road capability are 33-inch
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, which feature a beefy tread pattern to help grab ledges along the trail and deliver
optimum traction through sand, mud and snow. Larger tires and a suspension lift contribute to the Power Wagon’s
14.5-inch ground clearance, compared to 12 inches on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. The truck’s approach angle is
boosted to 34 degrees, the departure angle is increased to 23.5 degrees and the breakover angle is enhanced to 25.5
degrees. This gives the Ram Power Wagon significant clearance for navigating a variety of severe inclines and
declines as well as providing up to 30-inches of water-fording capability.
Underneath the 2014 Ram Power Wagon are generous underbody protection components. Fore-aft bars bring
together the transfer case and fuel tank skid plates, resulting in armor that minimizes underside damage and rock
wedging.
FRAME
Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature frames built with high-strength 50,000 psi steel, including eight separate cross-
members, hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails for optimal strength and mass efficiency. Chassis controls
on the new Ram Heavy Duty ensure outstanding noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) measurements and ride and
handling characteristics.
Wide front frame rails enable front suspension springs to be positioned slightly outboard – an enabler for generating
positive roll stiffness. A large plated-structure interface to the frame brings a lengthened weld surface creating a stiff,
robust front section. The design ensures optimum mass efficiency with no need for reinforcements to deliver strength,
despite shape complexity. Center frame rail sections are roll-formed, an efficient means for maintaining consistent
strength in less complex longitudinal sections. In the rear portion of the new frame, the structure includes fully boxed
rear rails and offers a factory-installed rear axle cross-member.
STEERING
The hydraulic steering system features recirculating ball steering gear, which delivers precise on-center feel despite
the vehicles immense towing and payload capacities.
BRAKES
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all 2014 Ram Heavy Duty Truck models. Front rotors measure 14.17 inches
(373 mm) in diameter and are clamped with dual-piston calipers; rear rotors are 14.09 inches (356 mm) also use dual-
piston calipers. All Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature standard four-channel electronic stability control (ESC).
BODY
The Ram Heavy Duty is equipped with robust engine, transmission and body mounts, including pioneering hydro-
mounts at C-pillar positions for class-leading noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics despite the truck’s
aptitude for higher payloads and towing.
The Power Wagon features a standard Class 5 receiver hitch with four- and seven-pin connectors on the bumper. A
tailgate handle-mounted, high-definition rear camera backup system is available with dynamic imaging in the 8.4-inch
display. Also, an optional cargo-view camera located in the center high-mounted stop light (CHMSL) provides a view
of the bed for monitoring payload.
ELECTRICAL
As the Ram Heavy Duty continues to offer more featured content, it created the need for a technology that allows
more information to be electronically communicated within the truck. The Powernet electrical architecture system
allows both high and low-speed data networks to be equipped with as many as 40 individual modules, all designed to
improve vehicle performance and enhance the comfort and safety of driver and passengers. Within the Powernet
high-speed network, each module (e.g., electronic stability control) processes its individual data and transmits the
appropriate commands within the vehicle to activate any additional systems (e.g. anti-lock brake system and cruise

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control).
A majority of the commercial truck customers need to tie into the electrical system and certain fleet customers require
access to vehicle information to even be considered, especially ambulance packages and some utility companies. A
best-in-class vehicle system interface module (VSIM) is capable of communicating between aftermarket modules and
various factory control modules. The VSIM upfitter interface module features a total of 53 circuits, including lighting
controls, door position, and throttle and transmission position. The class exclusive module acts as a secure gateway
to the vehicles’ electrical systems and data bus architecture to enable safe, secure plug and play connectivity for
upfitter friendliness.
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty is equipped with intelligent battery sensor technology, which continually measures the
flow of current in and out of the battery. The system is an enabler for intelligent load shedding, systematically shutting
off select electrical systems onboard the vehicle when the battery is running low to help prevent further depleting the
battery.
The new Power Wagon offers a dual-alternator system – the first of its kind for 3/4- and 1-ton pickup trucks with gas
powertrains –combining 220- and 160-amp units for 380-amps of total best-in-class output.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Ram Heavy Duty customers can enjoy the convenience of power folding mirrors and a combination, power rear-
sliding window with defrost. Also, one-touch, central locking includes the RamBox cargo management system and
tailgate power locks, creating a convenient solution for locking all exterior doors and storage lids. Spray-in bedliner,
auto rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam headlamps also are available, adding to a truckload of content.
Total Cost Of Ownership And Unsurpassed Powertrain Warranty - Five Years/ 100,000 Miles
Operating costs are of great consideration for owners who use their trucks for work. The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty holds
class-leading features in:
Fuel economy
Extended maintenance cycle (oil change of 15,000, fuel filter life on diesel)
Brake life with advanced engine exhaust brake and largest brakes in the segment
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty is backed with an unsurpassed five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. The
powertrain-limited warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component –
engine, transmission and drive system. Coverage also includes free towing to the nearest Ram Truck dealer, if
necessary. The warranty also is transferable allowing customers who sell their truck during the warranty period to
pass the coverage on to the new owner. The standard three-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty provides
bumper-to-bumper coverage for the Ram Heavy Duty, from the body to the electrical system.
MANUFACTURING
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty is built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.
Video link: http://youtu.be/FArkGOtYzM8
Power Wagon History - America’s First Mass-produced Civilian 4x4 Truck
After World War II, GIs returning home wrote to Dodge and asked, "Where can we get a truck like the ones we used
in the war?" Dodge responded by building the Power Wagon. Virtually unchanged from its introduction in 1945, Power
Wagons first appeared on the civilian market in 1946 as the model WDX. The truck was similar in design to the ¾-ton
military weapons carrier, with a 126-inch wheelbase and closed cab. The model designations changed over the years,
but the Power Wagon was offered only as a 1-ton truck through 1968.
The original Power Wagon featured a 230 cubic-inch flathead six engine, a two-speed transfer case, a four-speed
transmission with a power take-off opening, which would send power to the front and back of the truck for operating
auxiliary equipment and big 9.00/16-8 ply tires on 16x6-inch five-stud wheels. The 1-ton rated Power Wagon's
maximum GVW rating was 8,700 lbs. Its maximum payload was 3,000 lbs.
A pickup box was designed that measured 8 x 4.5 feet. Dodge factory-built this four-wheel drive truck over a year-
and-a-half before the Willys 4T and 10 years before other manufacturers began producing 4x4 trucks, making it the
first mass-produced civilian 4x4 truck. The 1947 WDX featured amenities including electric wipers, a single driver's
sun visor and armrest, dome light, a heater and 10,000 lb. winch.

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In 1957, Dodge introduced another line of four-wheel drive trucks, also known as Power Wagons, with the model
designations W100, W200, W300 and W500. More conventional in styling, these Power Wagons were available with
different engines, including V-8s. The body transitioned in 1972 through 1980 with a number of identifiable grilles and
paint schemes. Utility and function was not challenged by the few competitors in the segment, as the towing, payload,
and snow plowing capacity of the Power Wagon equipped with "Dana 60" 8-lug axles was the King of Durability.
After the 1980 model year, the Power Wagon went out of production with the introduction of the Dodge Ram, with the
four-wheel-drive models being sold under the "Power Ram" nameplate through 1993. The Power Wagon nameplate
was reintroduced in 2005, where it continues to hold the top spot in pickup truck off-road capability.
About Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a
standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core
customers use their trucks and what new features they'd like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-
ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial
vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.
The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a
full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors,
durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial,
have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are
designed to deliver a total package.
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